Groves was a second-round pick of the Jaguars in 2008 and spent two seasons in Jacksonville, playing in all 32 games but struggling to find a place for himself on the defense. He was traded to the Raiders for a fifth-round pick in 2009 and spent two years in Oakland, earning a spot in the starting lineup in his first season but being mostly a backup in 2011.

In Arizona Groves will provide depth at the outside linebacker position, where O’Brien Schofield and Sam Acho are penciled in as the starters, and contribute on special teams.

Really rabidmike? A guy that couldn’t stick with the Jags or Raiders is a good move?

rolltide510 says:May 24, 2012 9:00 PM

I’m a Raiders fan. If you’re a backup at linebacker for the Raiders the NFL isn’t for you.

rayguyreturns says:May 24, 2012 9:03 PM

Great pass rusher. Horrible run and pass defender.

rabidmike says:May 24, 2012 9:36 PM

Yeah, it is. He came out of college at DE for the Jags even though he’s built for OLB in a 3/4. He won the starting OLB job in Oakland even though they were 4/3 with some 3/4. But Wimbley is out Oakland as well so I assume they be in fewer 3/4s this year. So, he comes to AZ where the OLB position currently has less than 2 yrs experience as a unit. Yeah, Id say it was a pretty smart move considering Ware, Matthews and Wake werent available.

jmclarkent says:May 24, 2012 10:05 PM

I think he has value purely as a pass rusher. The moment he needs to cover or make a decision, it’s a wrap.

raiderrob21 says:May 24, 2012 10:13 PM

He’s a good dude. Enjoyed your efforts in the Silver and Black. Best of luck to you Q.

RAIDER NATION!!!!

rabidmike says:May 24, 2012 11:19 PM

2 cooments saying he is a pass rusher and nothing else? LOL the guy has no sacks since 08. Let Schacho get the sacks.

villa41 says:May 24, 2012 11:42 PM

@rabidmike

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Uhh, sorry. Oakland hasn’t played any significant 3-4 since about 1980. Groves “won” a starting spot two years ago (last year he was a back-up) because Okland was so thin at LB. The guy doesn’t do anything particularly well. Oh check that. One thing he really is good at is taking stupid penalties. Dude couldn’t even hustle off the field against Houston last year, and got a 12th man penalty that kept a Houston drive alive late and almost cost the Raiders the game. He should have been cut right there.

He is strictly a back-up, and if he sees significant playing time, then that means your season is quickly going downhill.

rabidmike says:May 25, 2012 12:47 AM

Sigh

joetoronto says:May 25, 2012 5:12 AM

Groves has a refreshing attitude and is a real team player.

As for his play, the guy is simply NOT a starter. The mental mistakes he makes are clean of the hook.